News - August 2008

Falcon Radio Inaugurated, Starts Broadcast

Date Posted: Aug 2, 2008 at 01:09:08 AM

Station airs initial programs in its first phase of radio operations

by Jane C. Mangalus

Sure there are several functioning in-campus communications media—like the monthly news publication, the website, the Digipost flat screen monitors, the newsletters from different offices and organizations and the usual office memos.

But radio has its own unique function and appeal.

And so, to mark the realization of the long-planned dream of operating one in the university, Fr. Gregg L. Banaga, Jr., C.M., University president led the university community in the blessing of the Falcon Radio last July 28, 2008. Located beside the Garden Café at the back of CS building, the spanking new booth (with a training classroom below) comes close, equipment wise, to a professional radio station one sees around the metro. Some of the new equipment are an audio interface mixer, audio interface recording, audio console mixer, compressor/limiter, studio condenser microphone, Core 2 Duo desktop, rack mount audio mixer, speakers, and split type 2.0 hp air-conditioners.

The radio station project is the brainchild of former Vice President for Student Affairs Fr. Gerald Borja, C.M. During his stint in one of the parishes of Dinagat Island in Surigao del Norte, he had the chance to do part-time work in 1998 in a local radio station as a commentator in an hour-long program that tackled religious and other matters.

Having seen for himself the enormous benefits radio brought to the community, it sprung in his mind that Adamson University could embark on the idea of having its own radio station. With the help of the Electronics and Communications Department and Mass Communication faculty, a concept paper/project proposal for the creation of the Falcon Radio station was submitted to the president. Upon approval, work was started and on July 28, the long dreamed project was finally a tangible reality.

The probability of having its own frequency to make it commercially viable is being considered. At present, it airs through the Public Address (PA) system. “Securing a frequency in the future would depend upon its availability from the National Telecommunications Commission,” averred ECE Department chair Engr. Evelyn Raguindin. The frequency can be within a 5-10 kilometer radius.

“We were mindful of the long-term benefits of this project not only to the Adamson community but to the nearby areas as well (referring to the barangays surrounding the University),” said Fr. Borja. “We might have our own frequency, and by then, issues like tuition fee, the school’s security concerns, and the like could be discussed,” he added.

“It is also in the team’s plan to have beneficiaries. Net surplus will be given to the Adamson University Scholarship and Student Development Foundation (AUSSDF),” declared Engr. Raguindin when the possibility of generating income through the Falcon Radio station was taken up.

The basic framework of this project will stand on two main scaffolds: one, it will be similar or parallel to development communication in a university context; two, the trust that AdU students can run it properly as guided and mentored by teachers and administrators.

Students under the Mass Communication program will be benefiting from this venture as they would no longer have to hunt for radio stations in which to do their on-the-job training as they are encouraged to do it in the newly-built radio station. Students taking Electronics and Communications Engineering can maximize the operational handling of the radio station as it can serve as their acoustic laboratory.

“In the long run, we also want other courses to utilize the radio station. It is but fair to involve everyone in this project,” disclosed Engr. Raguindin.

Fr. Gregorio L. Banaga, Jr., C.M. expressed his happiness over this team project, saying, “It is such a big feat for the University because not a lot of Universities have radio stations. We are among the very few. It is another set of equipments that could be used to train our students according to industry standards. Through this radio station, we want to give our students a state-of-the-art facility for broadcasting and communication. Learn how to use it to hone your skills in communicating. Eventually I hope you will consider using your communication skills not only for entertainment or to inform others but to spread the Word of God and the good news about people.“

A meeting to set the standard guidelines that are to be followed with regard to the use and operation of the station will be held on August 26 among the ECE Department chairperson Engr. Evelyn Raguindin, a technician from the Physical Facilities Office, and Foreign Languages Department chair Danny Escandor. In the meantime, the radio station airs the 3 o’clock prayer, the Adamson Hymn, the Adamsonian’s Prayer, the National Anthem and musical selections on a regular basis.